Question Discussion & Solution

• Ellora caves with inaccessible hills dated back to 6001000 AD.
• The caves of Ellora Elephanta were built by the Rashtrakuta rulers, they have been built by cutting the walls of high basalt steep rock walls.
• There are about 34 caves which are located 30 km away from the district in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state,
• These are declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• There is also a holy place dedicated to the three religions Hindu, Buddhist and Jain.
• These caves have unique artistic images, public and technical excellence spread all over the world.

The correct answer is Kerala.

• Ottamthullal is an art form performed only in Kerala.
• The meaning of Ottamthullal is 'poor man's Kathakali'.
• Kunchan Nambiar created this dance form, as an alternative to the Chakyar koothu.
• To protest against the prevalent socio-political structure and prejudices of the society, Kunchan Nambiar used it as a medium.
• Now it is a famous folk art presented in the temples of Kerala.
• Some other dance forms of Kerala:
  • Theyyam
  • Thiruvathirakali
  • Chakyar Koothu
  • Koodiyattam
  • Kathakali(Classical)
  • Mohiniattam(Classical).

In Madhya Pradesh, the world famous Khajuraho Dance Festival has begun. Eminent Indian classical dancers will perform during the 7 day event. This Dance Festival presents colourful and brilliant Indian dances in the backdrop of the famous Khajuraho temples. Live performances of classical dances like Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, and Mohniyattam were the major attraction this time.

The correct answer is Moinuddin Chishti.

Key Points

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the tomb of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
  • Moinuddin Chishti was a 13th-century Sufi saint and philosopher.
  • Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was an extremely pious saint who devoted himself to providing relief to the poor.
  • His idea behind doing this was to educate the public about the importance of selfless service.
  • The teachings of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti are so popular that visitors literally throng the dargah to pay their respects at his grave.

Additional Information

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah was built by the ruler Humayun during the rule of the Mughal Empire.
  • This Ajmer pilgrimage is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.
  • It was the residence of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti between 1192 and 1236 AD and houses his tomb.
  • It is the mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, which is visited by people of all castes, creeds, and religions.
  • The white marble dome of Chishti's Dargah, as it is seen today, was built in 1532.
  • There are eight tombs in the complex besides those of Chishti belonging to his family members.

The correct answer is Dravida Style.

• The architecture style of temple developed by Cholas is called Dravidian or Dravida architecture style.
• The majority of the existing structures are located in the Southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.